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Random Octane Testing of PA Gasoline

Gas Prices Are Falling In Pennsylvania and Around the Country

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Gasoline prices are falling nationwide and some analysts think prices could still go lower. You can thank the change in seasons, with the change over to the less expensive fall/winter fuel blend.  But that’s not the only reason prices at the pump dropped again over the weekend in Pennsylvania.

Jenny Robinson of AAA Mid-Atlantic says after Labor Day, summer travel demand dropped. Meanwhile, crude oil fell to under 80 dollars a barrel. Demand is running about 2% behind last year, according to most analysts.  The bleak economic outlook noted by the Federal Reserve and fears around the world for a global economic recession are additional factors in the prices. Gasoline inventories are also up.

Robinson says the Pennsylvania gas average is now at $3.54 a gallon.  It dropped about a nickel last week, then another four cents over the weekend. She says it could continue to improve as we go through the fall, possibly coming down another 10 to 20 cents or more.  While the prices are higher than last year, they’re lower than they were in the spring and summer.

Robinson says we could see prices start to go back up heading into the winter, depending on how supplies change due to the weather and other factors. It’s not clear how long lived the decrease will be.

Robinson says AAA’s Fuel Finder can help you find the lowest prices in your area.

AAA Projects a Slight Decrease In Labor Day Travel

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The Labor Day holiday travel period starts a week from today and AAA says more than 31 million Americans plan to travel at least 50 miles from home.  Compared to last Labor Day, travel is expected to be off by about 2.4% nationwide.

AAA says more people will drive and fewer will fly, thanks in part to moderating gas prices and higher air fares. Average travel distance is expected to be down slightly while spending will stay about the same. 27% of the budget will go toward fuel and travel.   

Jenny Robinson of AAA Mid-Atlantic says they’re projecting a decrease in travelers due to economic uncertainty and the increasing air fares. Travelers can expect to see increases in hotel rates but decreases in car rental rates. The holiday period runs September 1st through 5th.

Robinson says the average distance is expected to be 608 miles compared to 635 miles last year. Median spending will be about $702, compared to $697 over Labor Day 2010.                                       

Robinson says gas prices were cheaper last year, but they have moderated somewhat. More people are expected to travel by automobile this Labor Day than last. She says air fare is being more impacted by prices, and that’s where they’re seeing the decline in their forecast for the holiday weekend.

 

Random Octane Testing of PA Gasoline

Libya Impacts the Crude Oil Market

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How will Moammar Gadhafi’s potential ouster impact your wallet?  “Libya is one of the top 20 oil producers and exporters in the world,” explains AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Jana Tidwell.  “Since the civil war began, Libya has cut off all exports of crude oil.  That’s about 1.6-million barrels of crude oil a day that have not made it to market.” 

Many experts predict that Libya could resume exports soon, thus bringing down the price of crude oil, and easing the pain at the pump.  “In theory that’s correct,” Tidwell says, “But we also see some unrest in Syria right now.”  So, there’s a potential for a catch-22 on the global oil market. 

Oil prices are mixed as of mid-Monday, but Tidwell says it’s too soon to predict the short or long-term impact on the price we pay for gasoline.  “If we see crude oil hold in the $80-dollar a barrel range, as we have seen in the last week or so, gas prices should continue to trickle down.”

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Survey pegs the statewide average for regular gasoline at just over $3.56 a gallon.  That’s about a nickel better than this time last month, but still 87-cents higher than this time last year, in the Keystone State.

Staying Safe in the Heat Wave

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The miserably hot weather that’s been gripping the Midwest is beginning to take hold of Pennsylvania.  With every heat wave, Dr. Richard O’Brien treats multiple cases of heat related illness.  He says nobody is immune to the temperatures.  “Often they are sporting people, and sometimes they are little old ladies going to church,” says O’Brien, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and associate professor of emergency medicine at The Commonwealth Medical College. 

The three basic levels of heat illness include: heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  “Heat exhaustion is a little more serious, we often use IV fluids for that; you might need a visit to the hospital for that.  Heat stroke is very serious and life threatening.  Think of heat stroke as being as serious as a real stroke,” O’Brien cautions. 

The symptoms of heat exhaustion can include weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath.  “You need to seek care.  You need to lie down, you need to be cooled off, you need to be hydrated,” O’Brien tells us.  He says the key is to keep heat exhaustion from becoming heat stroke.

Dr. O’Brien urges everyone to limit activities and to keep well-hydrated in this weather:  “The reason why we hydrate is so that we can sweat, so that we don’t overheat, so that we don’t get sick.”  He points out that children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to heat illness. 

 

Hot Car

AAA Says a Sun Shield Can Minimize Heat Buildup and Protect Your Car's Interior

With children’s safety in mind, AAA is urging us never to leave kids alone in car.  Once a car is locked up, temperatures inside can climb by 20-degrees in the first 10-minutes.  “The inside of a car, on a day like this – with temperatures in the 90s – can reach 200 degrees,” says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jim Lardear.  “You can cook food… at that temperature,” Lardear warns.    

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports at least 27-documented child deaths, per year, which are linked to hot vehicles.  Both O’Brien and Lardear say these safety rules for hydration and car safety apply to our pets too.

AAA Projects Fewer Travelers this 4th of July

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According to AAA forecasts for the holiday weekend, not quite as many people will travel this year as last.  AAA is projecting a 2.5% to 2.7%  decline in the number of travelers overall. Automobile travel is expected to be down about 3%, while air travel will be up about 9%. However, 84% of those making trips over the Independence Day weekend are expected to drive.

Jim Lardear, Director of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, says it’s important to remember that 2010 saw big gains in travel coming off of the recession. He says this year’s projection shows people are feeling the pinch from higher fuel costs.

Lardear says the fuel prices are hitting lower income families more. He says one of the most striking things they found was in travel preferences for families earning under $50,000 a year. He says they were more willing to stay closer to home or scale back a little on what they spend for hotels, eating out or shopping during  the trip. The average travel distance is expected to be down about 7%.

Lardear says families making $100,000 or more  indicated they’re going to spend a little more money on things like going to a sporting event at their destination.  Median spending is expected to be up 25% this year.

Lardear adds that Pennsylvania offers a variety of destinations that people can drive to on one tank of gas, if they’re interested in  a lake, an amusement park; there are a lot of ways to take a fun vacation without incurring a lot of additional costs.  He says you can scale it back, but still afford to get away and have a very nice time.

Random Octane Testing of PA Gasoline

Committee Gives Green Light to Octane Testing Bill

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Alaska, Nebraska and Pennsylvania are the last three states without required tests for octane levels at their gas pumps.  “Just recently Maryland who passed the legislation did a study, and they found substantial variations in the testing,” says State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, the prime sponsor of SB 341.  Greenleaf’s legislation would require the Department of Agriculture to randomly test for octane levels in gasoline.  It has the support of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation. 

Executive director of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation Ted Leonard points out that a gallon of regular gas averages about $3.80 in Pennsylvania (as of Tuesday afternoon).  “Given that high price of gasoline, consumers should be assured that they’re getting what they’re paying for,” he tells us.  Different engines are built to run on different octane levels, and the problem is that you may be paying for 93-octane, but receiving 87.  While the 87 may cost $3.80, Leonard says premium gasoline is averaging $4.06 in the Keystone State.  While Leonard does not believe discrepancies are widespread, he points out that motorists could take a double hit:  “You’re not getting what you pay for and secondly damaged engines and fuel gauges… can be expensive repairs.”    

The state Department of Agriculture currently tests gas pumps to ensure that you’re getting the gallon you paid for.  We’re not assured of the composition of that gallon of gas.  Sen. Greenleaf says SB 341 with give the Department of Ag the authority to implement and enforce the law.  He believes random testing will control costs while providing piece of mind.  The bill was unanimously voted out of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee last week.  Up next is the Senate floor.